Podcast appearances and mentions of margaret flinter

Experts who believe in the “food is medicine” concept say recent decisions made in Washington could have a devastating effect. Dr. Hilary Seligman, a nationally recognized expert on food insecurity and health outcomes at the University of California San Francisco, spoke to “Conversations on Health Care.” The interview highlighted that cutbacks to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are projected to reduce federal spending by $186 billion over the next decade. She believes this could result in more people getting sicker and then ending up in emergency departments with severe conditions.Yet Dr. Seligman also sees some rays of optimism. “This administration has done a really deep dive into chronic disease. There is a desire to help make the population of the U.S. healthier again. And there is an interest in supporting better dietary intake. The challenge is to amplify those efforts in a way that is based in science, that is based in evidence and that will support everyone in the U.S. equally. That really is the opportunity that we have,” she told hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Americans are living longer for many reasons and experts credit Medicare and Medicaid for some of this success. This week, these federal programs are celebrating their own birthdays. Sixty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law. However, recent moves are expected to result in decreased enrollment and payments to health care providers. “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Mark Updegrove about this situation. Updegrove is the president and CEO... Read More Read More The post 60 Years of Medicaid & Medicare: Health Care Challenges & Opportunities appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Americans are living longer for many reasons and experts credit Medicare and Medicaid for some of this success. This week, these federal programs are celebrating their own birthdays. Sixty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law.However, recent moves are expected to result in decreased enrollment and payments to health care providers. “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Mark Updegrove about this situation. Updegrove is the president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, presidential historian for ABC News and a recent guest on “The View.” Join us for this important conversation, which examines the history and continuing impact of how we pay for health care for some of our most vulnerable neighbors. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“I would have never, ever in my whole life have said, ‘we're going to cure addiction.' I think we now have knowledge and tools that could potentially, definitely lead us to a cure for addiction.”— Dr. Nora Volkow, Director, National Institute on Drug AbuseDr. Volkow shared her attention-getting belief with “Conversations on Health” at Aspen Ideas: Health. Healthcare providers and society at large have spent decades dealing with substance use disorders and the loss of life has been staggering. Dr. Volkow leads NIDA, the world's largest funder of biomedical research on addiction, and she explains why she's so confident with her assessment:The wider availability of naloxone and knowledge about how to quickly use it when needed;Neuroplasticity as a pathway to recovery; andPerhaps surprisingly, smartphones and video games are so distracting to some young people that they no longer need to seek other forms of escape.Join hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter as Dr. Volkow also explains the challenges and opportunities for NIDA within the National Institutes of Health. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you ran a healthcare foundation worth nearly $1 billion, where would you invest those dollars? That a question Dr. Joseph Betancourt, his colleagues and board members get to tackle every day.Dr. Betancourt, president of the influential The Commonwealth Fund, is committed to “Affordable, quality health care. For everyone.” Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter interviewed him at Aspen Ideas: Health at the Aspen Institute.Here are some of the Fund's top concerns right now:Private equity: The Commonwealth Fund is examining how private equity engages in healthcare delivery and what impact it's having on cost, quality and safety. Dr. Betancourt explains that its new strategic plan will focus on commercial drivers and the tension between patients and profits.Primary care: There's a growing crisis, exacerbated by fewer primary care medical students and a culture that doesn't appreciate their contributions.Outcomes: The Fund's Scorecard on State Health System Performance found the number of children who have received all doses of the seven recommended early childhood vaccines is below 75% in most states.Dr. Betancourt, the first Latino to lead the Fund, is also proud of health equity as he defines it:“My lived experience informs a lot of my ideas around how our foundation can go forward…it's about respect and making sure we're not leaving anyone behind, that we and I do the best for everyone. Those are the values I bring personally. Those are the values I bring as a clinician. And those are the values that are very well aligned with the Commonwealth Fund,” he says.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Betancourt, president of the influential The Commonwealth Fund, is committed to “Affordable, quality health care. For everyone.” Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter interviewed him at Aspen Ideas: Health at the Aspen Institute. Here are some of the Fund's top concerns right now: Dr. Betancourt, the first Latino to lead the Fund, is also proud of health equity as he defines it: “My lived experience informs a lot of my ideas around how our foundation can go forward…it's about... Read More Read More The post Pretend You Have Millions to Fix Health Care: What Would You Do? A Doctor Gives His Answer appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law on July 4 and now leaders such as Stephanie Carlton are in charge of implementing it. She's the deputy administrator and chief of staff at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.Carlton and the administration see the law's benefits because Medicaid reimbursement rates “were allowed to go up to commercial rates and states are at varying levels towards that cap. But as we sat back and looked at it and said well, ‘these are providers who are committing to society to vulnerable Americans that they're going to help with their healthcare needs'…. but paying up to commercial rates kind of changes the focus of the program, where it becomes more about facilities profiting more than making sure patients are taken good care of.” Carlton also answered questions from hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter shortly before Congress passed the bill. In addition, she discussed how they believe modern technology can help with new Medicaid work requirements, concerns about the National Health Service Corps and the administration's plans to lower prescription drug costs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's a lot of attention right now around “super agers.” Yet the facts are that current life expectancy at birth is 74.8 years for males and for females it's 80.2 years in the U.S.Does it catch your eye when you hear about predictions we'll be able to live to 100 and beyond?Some researchers are throwing cold water on those notions. “We'll be lucky if 5% of the age cohort makes it to 100,” says S. Jay Olshansky, Ph.D., Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. He and his colleagues made headlines when they presented data that humans are approaching a biologically-based limit to life. Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter ask Olshansky about the implications of this research — for each of us personally and for policymakers — after decades of hearing predictions that life expectancy would continue to go up. Olshanky explains why we should celebrate longer life that has resulted from healthier diets and medical advances but now focus on improving quality of life in later years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Millions are still living with the effects of Long COVID and new research shows that for older adults, the consequences may be profound and lasting.In part one of a special two-part series on “Conversations on Health Care,” Dr. Gabriel de Erausquin, a neurologist and leading Long COVID researcher at the University of Texas Health San Antonio, shares groundbreaking findings from his global study of over 3,500 patients. His work reveals a troubling connection: many Long COVID patients over 60 show cognitive decline that mirrors early signs of dementia.“The parts of the brain that are affected by COVID overlap significantly with those that are affected early in the course of Alzheimer's….the changes overlap, but they are not identical.”His team is now studying brain imaging and biomarkers to understand the link between COVID-related cognitive decline and traditional neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.Dr. de Erausquin also explains how persistent loss of smell — a hallmark COVID symptom — may be the strongest predictor of ongoing cognitive issues, and how genetic sequencing is helping uncover inherited risk.He highlights a dual reality: while many Long COVID patients show biological changes, others had prior diagnoses of depression, anxiety, or chronic fatigue — a nuance often missing from public conversations.Click to hear the full conversation with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter.“Originally aired on May 15, 2025”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's a troubling situation: Nearly one in three high school students report persistent feelings of hopelessness. At the same time, many communities have a lack of mental health professionals to counsel and help young people.Leaders from philanthropy, public health, and private sectors think they have a path to a solution: Youth Mental Health Corps. This program, which launched a year ago, places young adults as mental health navigators in schools and community organizations. These navigators provide peer-to-peer support, connect young people and families to resources, and serve as trusted guides who understand firsthand the challenges faced by today's youth.Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter, hosts of “Conversations on Healthcare,” bring their extensive experience to the conversation. They speak to Corps funders Marie Groark, the managing director of the Schultz Family Foundation, and Alise Marshall, the senior global lead for public affairs at Pinterest.Groark shares early findings from the Youth Mental Health Corps. “What they found is that when you have a Youth Mental Health Corps member in your school, especially, you see improved attendance, fewer behavioral incidents, and increased student awareness of mental health and help-seeking behavior.”Focusing on prevention and early intervention, Marshall highlights the power of peer connection. “It is difficult for young people to trust educators and parents when navigating adolescence. Having someone very recently been there, who has navigated the same issues, can make a very big difference.”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Description: Dr. Igor Koralnik, the co-director of Northwestern Medicine's Comprehensive COVID-19 Center, is one of the world's leading Long COVID researchers. For instance, he's been involved in a first-of its-kind study that's giving experts an idea of how Long COVID affects the body by looking through the eyes.Patients at his center receive coordinated care across 14 different specialties to address the many ways Long COVID affects the body.In the second part of our two-part series on Long COVID, Dr. Koralnik explains how patients who have experienced more episodes of COVID are at a higher risk of developing Long COVID.Dr. Koralnik tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that his work includes investigating potential causes such as viral persistence, autoimmune responses, and microvascular changes. His clinic also supports patients through regular virtual support groups that provide education and emotional care.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Leana Wen, a health news commentator for The Washington Post and CNN, is known for trying to have an open view toward untraditional opinions. For instance, she tells “Conversations on Health Care” that the new National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration directors are both “qualified individuals who have credentials from major medical institutions, who have worked in those fields.”She says her hope is that “behind the scenes they will act as tempering force… against the worse excesses around …Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and vaccine policy.”But she also tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that “Of course, this is an extremely worrisome time… many of the changes we're seeing are even more extreme than may have been anticipated.”In addition, Dr. Wen urges nuance in evaluating public health claims. “It's important for us to evaluate each of these claims separately… and not have a knee-jerk reaction to everything [Kennedy] says.”This episode dives into the politics of vaccines, the measles outbreak, food additives, artificial intelligence in medicine, and the evolving role of trust in public health.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Very early this morning the U.S. House passed a bill that would result in more than 7 million people losing Medicaid coverage if it became law; that estimate is from the Congressional Budget Office.As the bill was coming together, the chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News shared her analysis. Julie Rovner highlighted that to get a bill across the finish line was going to require overcoming the skepticism of some politicians. “There's a growing group of Republicans who are unhappy with how many reductions there are to the Medicaid program… including people who voted for the Republican [Party] and President Trump,” she said. Rovner also reviewed the Trump administration's efforts to ignore congressional appropriations and other laws. “As I say, this administration… is not following the law” and Rovner explained how that threatens the country's public health. From the future of Medicaid and food assistance to questions about accountability and health infrastructure, this conversation offers crucial insights into the latest health policy flashpoints with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Originally broadcast May 8, 2025 Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and melanoma is its deadliest form. Cases have tripled in the past 30 years, particularly among younger people — even as rates for other common cancers have gone down. Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), joins “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to talk about the urgent need for more research, the role of philanthropy, and... Read More Read More The post Menacing Melanoma: Marc Hulbert, PhD on How You Can Fight Back appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and melanoma is its deadliest form. Cases have tripled in the past 30 years, particularly among younger people — even as rates for other common cancers have gone down.Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), joins “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to talk about the urgent need for more research, the role of philanthropy, and why early detection remains critical.“We've invested in research that's led to 17 FDA-approved treatments, dramatically improving patient outcomes — and the dermatologist remains one of our strongest allies,” Hurlbert shares.He also discusses the promise of cutting-edge tools like gene-based blood tests and machine learning, while calling for broader access to clinical trials.“I think we're at a place where philanthropy is doing more to advance research than the government,” he says.From innovative treatment approaches to the push for inclusive prevention efforts across all communities, this conversation offers critical insights during Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A recent survey surprisingly found only 41% of physicians were “very confident” about their ability to provide equal quality care to patients with a disability. Megan Morris, Ph.D., and her allies are trying to figure out why and how to boost that percentage. STAT News' STATUS List recently added Morris to its prestigious collection of influencers because of her role as founder of the Disability Equity Collaborative. In an interview with “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter, Morris discusses how outdated attitudes, inaccessible equipment, and a lack of training continue to limit healthcare access for patients with disabilities. Morris also shares how new federal standards are pushing healthcare systems to better track and respond to disability needs and why simply collecting data isn't enough without systemic change. “We have long argued that collecting disability status information should be part of standard demographics. Just like asking what language you speak, you have to ask: ‘Do you have a disability?' so you can identify accommodation needs early and deliver better care.” From bias in provider attitudes to practical solutions using technology, Morris lays out a clear roadmap for building a healthcare system that truly serves everyone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Originally broadcast April 22, 2025 Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the U.S. will phase out the remaining eight artificial food dyes from America's food supply within two years. This is a move that leading nutritionist and author Marion Nestle, Ph.D., has long advocated for. “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter spoke to her before today's news conference. She says, “I'm all for getting bad chemicals out of the food supply,... Read More Read More The post Breaking News: Food Dye Ban: Support But More Needed, Says Dr. Marion Nestle appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes founded his eponymous Medical Institute over 70 years ago devoted to “unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.”Some say Howard Hughes Medical Institute is bringing its founder's vision into the future with its one-of-a-kind Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, Virginia. On this 281-acre parcel of land, integrated teams of lab scientists and tool-builders pursue a small number of scientific questions with potential for transformative impact. To drive science forward, they share their methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.Nelson Spruston, Ph.D., the executive director at HHMI's Janelia research campus, also tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter about AI@HHMI, its new $500 million initiative to embed AI systems throughout every stage of the scientific process.Spruston says, “Our approach is to identify people who have a very strong track record of making important discoveries in biomedical research and letting them pursue their best ideas without asking for our permission. What we're trying to do at HHMI is to use the deep bench of talent … to come up with ideas for problems [and address] long-standing open questions in the biological sciences.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The U.S. healthcare system could save up to 500,000 lives and $1.5 trillion a year by embracing the right technology, says Dr. Robert Pearl, a Stanford University professor and a noted healthcare influencer. Pearl, who co-authored his new book “ChatGPT, MD” with the help of generative AI, says the tech's strength lies in its access to the entirety of medical knowledge. “We shouldn't think of [generative AI] as just another AI tool. This is as … different from what's come before as the iPhone was from the telephone that was in most people's kitchens attached to the wall.” For clinicians and patients alike, that access can be transformative. Parents might use it to uncover what's wrong with their child when traditional medicine is still searching for answers. A doctor might identify rare diagnoses in minutes, work that would have taken days in a library. Hospitals already collect massive data — about a terabyte per facility annually — but 97% of it is never reviewed, Pearl says. The key is narrowing it to specific diseases or trends.Pearl tells “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that Gen AI will gain widespread medical acceptance when studies compare outcomes with and without the technology“We're going to find that the technology is 10% better than the average clinician … or the average nurse in a chronic disease management program…or, for that matter, potentially even the average physician doing inpatient care when there are five or six different doctors taking care of the same patient and they're not effectively communicating.”Click now to hear his take on the technology's other benefits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Originally broadcast April 3, 2025 Roughly 85% of respondents to a survey cited by Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, say they would rather do their taxes than get a colonoscopy. “We need to do a better job of talking to the public about the barriers,” Sapienza tells “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. Sapienza, whose mother died of the disease at age 58, says people may be less than excited to do the... Read More Read More The post ‘If Ryan Reynolds doesn't get you to do it…': Colorectal Cancer Alliance CEO talks screening appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Roughly 85% of respondents to a survey cited by Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, say they would rather do their taxes than get a colonoscopy. “We need to do a better job of talking to the public about the barriers,” Sapienza tells "Conversations on Health Care" hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. Sapienza, whose mother died of the disease at age 58, says people may be less than excited to do the preparation, or colon cleanout, necessary for a screening. Or that they don't want the hassle of taking time off from work. But he emphasized that 45 is the recommended age that people begin getting regular screenings for polyps that, at some point, could develop into cancer. “45 is the new 50," says Sapienza, whose alliance was instrumental in lowering the recommended screening age and, in 2022, recruited actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to have their colon screenings filmed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roughly 85% of respondents to a survey cited by Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, say they would rather do their taxes than get a colonoscopy.“We need to do a better job of talking to the public about the barriers,” Sapienza tells "Conversations on Health Care" hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter.Sapienza, whose mother died of the disease at age 58, says people may be less than excited to do the preparation, or colon cleanout, necessary for a screening. Or that they don't want the hassle of taking time off from work. But he emphasized that 45 is the recommended age that people begin getting regular screenings for polyps that, at some point, could develop into cancer.“45 is the new 50," says Sapienza, whose alliance was instrumental in lowering the recommended screening age and, in 2022, recruited actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to have their colon screenings filmed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Originally broadcast March 27, 2025 Two young innovators are leading a movement that proves food isn't just fuel—it's medicine. In this episode of “Conversations on Health Care,” Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talk with Christian Heiden, founder of Levo International, and Alissa Wassung, executive director of the Food is Medicine Coalition, about how their work is shaping the future of healthcare through food. For Heiden, hydroponic farming offers an innovative way to get fresh, nutritious food into the hands of... Read More Read More The post Food is Medicine: How Young Changemakers are Transforming Healthcare appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Two young innovators are leading a movement that proves food isn't just fuel—it's medicine. In this episode of “Conversations on Health Care,” Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talk with Christian Heiden, founder of Levo International, and Alissa Wassung, executive director of the Food is Medicine Coalition, about how their work is shaping the future of healthcare through food. For Heiden, hydroponic farming offers an innovative way to get fresh, nutritious food into the hands of people who need it most. “We've seen case studies where diet alone has prevented people from needing multi-million dollar surgeries,” he shares, emphasizing how access to healthier food can directly improve health outcomes. Wassung, whose coalition delivers medically tailored meals to patients with serious illnesses, highlights the broader impact. “Researchers at Tufts found that if every eligible patient received medically tailored meals, we could save $13.6 billion—with a B—in just one year,” she explains. “This is a tremendous opportunity to build a more efficient and effective healthcare system.” But this movement isn't just about numbers—it's about people. Heiden and Wassung embody a generational shift in how we view food and medicine, bringing fresh energy to solutions that could transform healthcare. Their work demonstrates that investing in food-based healthcare solutions isn't just good for patients—it's good for communities and the economy, too. Join us as we explore how hydroponic farming, medically tailored meals, and cutting-edge research are proving that the right food can prevent disease, improve outcomes, and lower healthcare costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two young innovators are leading a movement that proves food isn't just fuel—it's medicine. In this episode of “Conversations on Health Care,” Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talk with Christian Heiden, founder of Levo International, and Alissa Wassung, executive director of the Food is Medicine Coalition, about how their work is shaping the future of healthcare through food. For Heiden, hydroponic farming offers an innovative way to get fresh, nutritious food into the hands of people who need it most. “We've seen case studies where diet alone has prevented people from needing multi-million dollar surgeries,” he shares, emphasizing how access to healthier food can directly improve health outcomes. Wassung, whose coalition delivers medically tailored meals to patients with serious illnesses, highlights the broader impact. “Researchers at Tufts found that if every eligible patient received medically tailored meals, we could save $13.6 billion—with a B—in just one year,” she explains. “This is a tremendous opportunity to build a more efficient and effective healthcare system.”But this movement isn't just about numbers—it's about people. Heiden and Wassung embody a generational shift in how we view food and medicine, bringing fresh energy to solutions that could transform healthcare. Their work demonstrates that investing in food-based healthcare solutions isn't just good for patients—it's good for communities and the economy, too.Join us as we explore how hydroponic farming, medically tailored meals, and cutting-edge research are proving that the right food can prevent disease, improve outcomes, and lower healthcare costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emmy award-winning actor Michael J. Fox shocked the world when he announced over 25 years ago that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Since then, he's devoted his talents to eliminating Parkinson's in our lifetime. Researchers with The Michael J. Fox Foundation now have impressive progress to report. They've developed a biomarker test to measure the protein alpha synuclein that's helping to diagnose Parkinson's with more than 90% accuracy, even proving effective at identifying people who may later develop the disease. “I think this is going to be a game changer for clinical trials and for patient care in the future,” says Samantha Hutten, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and vice president of translational research at the foundation. “But right now it is really a research tool that can be used to inform research and also how we design clinical trials.” A positive test, for example, may not be able to tell patients which type of alpha synuclein disease they have, whether it's Parkinson's, Lewy body dementia or multiple systems atrophy. “I think there's huge excitement around it, particularly about the impact on clinical trials,” says Rebecca Miller, Ph.D., an associate professor at Yale University's School of Medicine who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013 at age 38. “We're all looking for a drug that will really be disease-modifying.” Hutten tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that the biomarker test is an “all-comers” study, meaning patients can participate if they've been diagnosed or have family with Parkinson's, or have risk factors like loss of sense of smell or REM sleep behavior disorder. The test comes at a crucial time: the global rate of Parkinson's has doubled since Fox first revealed his condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emmy award-winning actor Michael J. Fox shocked the world when he announced over 25 years ago that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Since then, he's devoted his talents to eliminating Parkinson's in our lifetime.Researchers with The Michael J. Fox Foundation now have impressive progress to report. They've developed a biomarker test to measure the protein alpha synuclein that's helping to diagnose Parkinson's with more than 90% accuracy, even proving effective at identifying people who may later develop the disease.“I think this is going to be a game changer for clinical trials and for patient care in the future,” says Samantha Hutten, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and vice president of translational research at the foundation. “But right now it is really a research tool that can be used to inform research and also how we design clinical trials.”A positive test, for example, may not be able to tell patients which type of alpha synuclein disease they have, whether it's Parkinson's, Lewy body dementia or multiple systems atrophy.“I think there's huge excitement around it, particularly about the impact on clinical trials,” says Rebecca Miller, Ph.D., an associate professor at Yale University's School of Medicine who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013 at age 38. “We're all looking for a drug that will really be disease-modifying.”Hutten tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that the biomarker test is an “all-comers” study, meaning patients can participate if they've been diagnosed or have family with Parkinson's, or have risk factors like loss of sense of smell or REM sleep behavior disorder.The test comes at a crucial time: the global rate of Parkinson's has doubled since Fox first revealed his condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

About 1 in 5 colorectal patients are now under the age of 55, and colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men under age 50 and the second for women under 50. During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we present this encore presentation of our interview with Dr. Alan Venook. Dr. Venook is with the University of California-San Francisco and is one of the nation's leading colorectal cancer researchers. He explained to “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter what it will take to reverse the rise in cases among young people. Dr. Venook also talked about his research that found there's no correlation in colorectal cancer patient survival or the risk of recurrent cancer over time with less radiation—a finding that goes against conventional wisdom. Originally broadcast February 15 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

About 1 in 5 colorectal patients are now under the age of 55, and colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men under age 50 and the second for women under 50.During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we present this encore presentation of our interview with Dr. Alan Venook. Dr. Venook is with the University of California-San Francisco and is one of the nation's leading colorectal cancer researchers. He explained to “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter what it will take to reverse the rise in cases among young people. Dr. Venook also talked about his research that found there's no correlation in colorectal cancer patient survival or the risk of recurrent cancer over time with less radiation—a finding that goes against conventional wisdom. Originally broadcast February 15 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How reliable is the current research into the cause of Alzheimer's disease? Award-winning author Charles Piller's new book is “Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's”; it's raising important questions about certain images that may have been manipulated to bolster the amyloid hypothesis as the cause of Alzheimer's. Piller tells “Conversations on Health Care” that “what you have are a multitude of images — not just in Alzheimer's disease but in many other areas — that have slipped through, that have not been well-examined, and that are, in fact, falsified, or appear to be falsified,” adding that closer scrutiny of images could spur scientists “to re-examine whether the experiments themselves are worth publishing.” Piller couches this by noting that misconduct occurs in “a small percentage” of research and “does not represent the vast bulk” of work in the field. But a greater emphasis on checks and balances is needed, he says. Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter also ask Piller to respond to criticism of his reporting as well as explain other potential sources of hope in the research field. For instance, clinical trials may reveal, as early as next year, the possible impact of GLP-1 inhibitors — medications developed for obesity and diabetes — on Alzheimer's. Another theory examines the effect of latent viruses, such as herpes, on the brain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How reliable is the current research into the cause of Alzheimer's disease? Award-winning author Charles Piller's new book is “Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's”; it's raising important questions about certain images that may have been manipulated to bolster the amyloid hypothesis as the cause of Alzheimer's. Piller tells “Conversations on Health Care” that “what you have are a multitude of images — not just in Alzheimer's disease but in many other areas — that have slipped through, that have not been well-examined, and that are, in fact, falsified, or appear to be falsified,” adding that closer scrutiny of images could spur scientists “to re-examine whether the experiments themselves are worth publishing.” Piller couches this by noting that misconduct occurs in “a small percentage” of research and “does not represent the vast bulk” of work in the field. But a greater emphasis on checks and balances is needed, he says. Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter also ask Piller to respond to criticism of his reporting as well as explain other potential sources of hope in the research field. For instance, clinical trials may reveal, as early as next year, the possible impact of GLP-1 inhibitors — medications developed for obesity and diabetes — on Alzheimer's. Another theory examines the effect of latent viruses, such as herpes, on the brain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Louis Sullivan walked the halls of Congress and testified before committees when he was secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That experience, working in a bipartisan fashion in the President George H.W. Bush administration, is valuable now. During Black History Month, we revisit our interview with Dr. Sullivan for lessons about leadership and the challenges that still exist in our healthcare system. Dr. Sullivan advocates for more Blacks to train to become doctors and explains the challenges that still exist for them joining the profession. Listen in as hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter ask him to share his insights. Originally broadcast January, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Louis Sullivan walked the halls of Congress and testified before committees when he was secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That experience, working in a bipartisan fashion in the President George H.W. Bush administration, is valuable now. During Black History Month, we revisit our interview with Dr. Sullivan for lessons about leadership and the challenges that still exist in our healthcare system. Dr. Sullivan advocates for more Blacks to train to become doctors and explains the challenges that still exist for them joining the profession. Listen in as hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter ask him to share his insights.Originally broadcast January, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

$4.95 — that's the record high price of a dozen of Grade A eggs in U.S. cities. Michael Osterholm, Ph.D., the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, says expect them to go even higher.That's because H5N1, a form of bird flu, has affected more than 156 million commercial, backyard and wild birds in the United States in the last three years. Osterholm, with nearly 50 years of experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks, emphasizes the urgent need for improved pandemic preparedness. “It's not a question of if, but when the next major outbreak will happen. Whether it's a more contagious strain of COVID-19, the bird flu or a completely new virus, we need systems in place now to protect public health and save lives.”He joins Apoorva Mandavilli, the science and global health reporter with The New York Times, to explore the critical lessons learned from COVID-19 and what must be done to prepare for future public health threats. “Bird flu may seem like a distant problem, but the global nature of infectious diseases means we're all connected,” Mandavilli says. She also notes that public trust plays a crucial role in mitigating future pandemics. “Without transparency and clear communication, public health measures are far less effective.”Conversations on Health Care hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter also ask them how public health agencies must adapt, improve transparency and build global cooperation to combat future outbreaks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

$4.95 — that's the record high price of a dozen of Grade A eggs in U.S. cities. Michael Osterholm, Ph.D., the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, says expect them to go even higher. That's because H5N1, a form of bird flu, has affected more than 156 million commercial, backyard and wild birds in the United States in the last three years. Osterholm, with nearly 50 years of experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks, emphasizes the urgent need for improved pandemic preparedness. “It's not a question of if, but when the next major outbreak will happen. Whether it's a more contagious strain of COVID-19, the bird flu or a completely new virus, we need systems in place now to protect public health and save lives.” He joins Apoorva Mandavilli, the science and global health reporter with The New York Times, to explore the critical lessons learned from COVID-19 and what must be done to prepare for future public health threats. “Bird flu may seem like a distant problem, but the global nature of infectious diseases means we're all connected,” Mandavilli says. She also notes that public trust plays a crucial role in mitigating future pandemics. “Without transparency and clear communication, public health measures are far less effective.” Conversations on Health Care hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter also ask them how public health agencies must adapt, improve transparency and build global cooperation to combat future outbreaks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Originally broadcast January 23, 2025 President Trump's first days in office have resulted in a number of important changes in the healthcare landscape. President Trump has withdrawn the United States from the World Health Organization, rolled back drug pricing policies and limited gender-affirming care. In addition, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., awaits his confirmation hearing to serve as secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Conversations on Health Care hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter are bringing together... Read More Read More The post Health Care & President Trump: What's Happened So Far appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Originally broadcast October 17, 2024 For nearly the first decade of the National Institutes of Health's “All of Us” Research Program — aimed at increasing diversity in genetic research — a major component was missing: kids. “Children are approximately 24% of our population in the U.S. and 100% of our future,” Dr. Sara Van Driest, director of pediatrics for NIH's All of Us Program, told hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. “In order to provide them with the very best... Read More Read More The post How Groundbreaking NIH Research is Expanding to Birth-to-Four-Year-Olds appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Originally broadcast August 8, 2024 The director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) knows the eyes of the nation are on her. Renee Wegrzyn, Ph.D., leads the billion-dollar effort charged with leveraging research advances for real-world impact. Wegrzyn talked with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter at Aspen Ideas: Health about the agency's initiatives, including a $100 million sprint for women's health and creating tissue-specific delivery of therapies. “How can we pursue some of these breakthroughs —... Read More Read More The post Self-healing joints? Perfect surgeries? Your tax $$ could make it happen appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Originally broadcast August 22, 2024 Some patients are concerned about how far artificial intelligence (AI) is creeping into the exam room. But AI has been part of health care longer than most realize, according to Dr. Isaac Kohane, a groundbreaking Harvard University professor. Kohane is the editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine's first publication devoted to AI. He tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that “In the 1980s, automated interpretation of an [echocardiogram] would have been considered... Read More Read More The post NEJM's First AI Editor: Yes, AI is Here to Stay appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Originally broadcast July 1, 2024 Experts praise community health workers as the keys to building a more equitable and fair health care system in America. Is there a way to unlock more success for hiring and retaining them? Dr. Shreya Kangovi thinks so; she developed the IMPaCT Care program, which is saving money and quickly growing. We're proud to share this encore “Conversations on Health Care” interview. Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talked to Dr. Kangovi about how it's a... Read More Read More The post Helping Community Health Workers Succeed: Ideas From an Innovative Program appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talk to FactCheck.org's Managing Editor Lori Robertson who exposes false claims about health policy in the public domain and they end with a Bright Idea that's improving health and well being in every day lives. In the wake of recent bipartisan policy wins in Washington, can health care policy follow suit? Dr. Anand Parekh, chief medical advisor at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), spoke with Mark and Margaret about how the best solutions emerge from a solid understanding of the issues and the eventual give-and-take of political opponents. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

The recent death of former college football player Craig Roh from colon cancer at age 33 has brought attention to the “alarming” increase of colorectal cancer in young people. The American Cancer Society reports colon cancer is now the most common cause of cancer deaths in men under 50 and second for women under 50. Dr. Alan Venook at the University of California-San Francisco is one of the nation's leading colorectal cancer researchers. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Dr. Venook explains to hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter how to stem the rise in cases among young people. Dr. Venook also talks about his research that found there's no compromise in colorectal cancer patient survival or the risk of recurrent cancer over time with less radiation—a finding that goes against conventional wisdom. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Originally broadcast on May 2, 2024 In the wake of recent bipartisan policy wins in Washington, can health care policy follow suit? Dr. Anand Parekh, chief medical advisor at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), spoke with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter about how the best solutions emerge from a solid understanding of the issues and the eventual give-and-take of political opponents. For example, The Milbank Memorial Fund's 2024 Scorecard Report of The Health of U.S. Primary Care declared that... Read More Read More The post Can Health Care Policy Take a Page from Recent Bipartisan Efforts? appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talk to FactCheck.org's Managing Editor Lori Robertson who exposes false claims about health policy in the public domain and they end with a Bright Idea that's improving health and well being in every day lives. The family planning revolution has a new chapter and journalist Valerie Bauman is both documenting it and participating in it. She and others pursuing alternatives say they're frustrated with fertility clinics because of the cost, what they call the discriminatory nature of the system and the lack of insurance coverage. Bauman explains how she met her sperm donor and why others like her say it makes sense for them. Mark and Margaret interview Bauman about her upcoming book “Inconceivable: Super Sperm Donors, Off-the-Grid Insemination, and Unconventional Family Planning.” To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter interview FactCheck.org's Managing Editor Lori Robertson who exposes false claims about health policy in the public domain and they end with a Bright Idea that's improving health and well being in every day lives. Primary Care Collaborative President & CEO Ann Greiner joins Mark and Margaret to discuss better compensation and reimbursement for primary care clinicians and efforts to increase training, expanding access to community health centers, and opportunities for primary care to help as the country faces a mental health crisis. What will it take to get the United States to wake up to the need for better primary care? Tune into this week's conversation to learn more. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Originally broadcast on February 22, 2024. U.S. spending on primary care fell again, to a mere 4.6% of total health care dollars spent. Primary Care Collaborative is the only national multi-stakeholder organization focused on whole-person primary care. Primary Care Collaborative President & CEO Ann Greiner joins hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to discuss better compensation and reimbursement for primary care clinicians and efforts to increase training, expanding access to community health centers, and opportunities for primary care to help... Read More Read More The post Better Primary Care: What Will It Take to Get the U.S. to Wake Up to the Need? appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Experts praise community health workers as the keys to building a more equitable and fair health care system in America. Is there a way to unlock more success for hiring and retaining them? Dr. Shreya Kangovi thinks so; she developed the IMPaCT Care program, which is saving money and quickly growing. “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talked to her about how it's a standardized, scalable program that transforms the effectiveness of the community health workforce by reimagining each step. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

The diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID made many advancements in the past 12 months and “Conversations on Health Care” covered all of them. We've collected the most important insights from leading researchers and clinicians as this medical mystery continues. Join hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter as they highlight the perspectives of guests ranging from NIH researchers and patients, to the leader of the Mayo Clinic's COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Our guests were looking for a book that told real-life stories about Latinas in nursing, but they couldn't find one. So they took the job upon themselves and wrote their own book, titled “Latinas in Nursing: Stories of Determination, Inspiration, and Trust.” The book is a compilation of the beautiful stories of the challenges, growth and discovery influential Latina nurses share about their journeys, including during the COVID pandemic. Right now, Hispanics make up 19% of the total U.S. population but only about 8% of registered nurses are Latina. Join us as Tina Loarte-Rodríguez and Zacnité Vargas-Avalos bring their book to life in conversation with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (known as COP28) is underway and on Dec. 3 it will feature a “Day of Health.” This is the first time the world leaders on climate change will devote an entire day to how climate change is affecting our physical, mental and emotional health. Dr. Vanessa Kerry, the World Health Organization Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health, joined us with an overview of what to expect from the discussions, including ongoing efforts to reduce fossil fuels. In fact, new research shows using fossil fuels accounts for 5 million extra deaths a year worldwide. Dr. Kerry also shared with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter how she helps her dad, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, understand the urgent need to protect human health as temperatures continue to rise. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen